Tummy pain warning as experts share liver cancer signs you should never ignore

04 August 2023 , 13:16

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Tummy pain should never be ignored (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

Deaths from liver cancer continue to soar, as research from Cancer Research UK has found that liver cancer mortality rates have more than tripled. The disease has a 13% survival rate and is the fastest-rising cause of cancer death in the UK, so it's more important than ever to know how to spot the symptoms early.

According to the NHS, liver cancer symptoms may be hard to spot, and they may go undetected for a long time. But according to statistics from Liver Cancer UK, case rates are predicted to rise by 6% between 2023 and 2025, so keeping yourself aware of what to look out for is vital.

Many of the symptoms of liver cancer go undetected as they don't often seem like things you should be immediately worried about, such as feeling tired, or feeling generally unwell. But the NHS website states there are some things you can look out for that might signal something is wrong, and they include:

• The whites of your eyes turning yellow or your skin turning yellow, which may be less obvious on brown or black skin (jaundice) – you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual

• Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to

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• Feeling tired or having no energy

• Feeling generally unwell or having symptoms like flu

• A lump in the right side of your stomach

There are also symptoms that can affect your digestion that may be easier to spot, such as having a swollen tummy that is unrelated to the foods you have eaten, or having pain in your stomach area. Digestion symptoms include:

• Feeling or being sick

• Pain at the top right side of your tummy or in your right shoulder

• Symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling full very quickly when eating

• A very swollen tummy that is not related to when you eat

The NHS explains that many of these symptoms can be caused by different conditions, but it's important to get checked by your GP if you do have a lump in your stomach, have lost weight without trying, or if your symptoms do not improve after two weeks. Your GP might feel your stomach and chest during your appointment, and may refer you to a specialist.

There are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of liver cancer, including trying to lose weight if you're overweight, trying to quit smoking, trying to cut down on alcohol and avoid drinking more than 14 units a week, and wearing protective clothes and masks if you work in a job where you're exposed to harmful chemicals.

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